Roller mill



` Jan; 11, 193,8. 1v1/.KENT ET A1.' 2,105,192

ROLLER MILL Filed Nov. K.25, 1936 4 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTUM4 J. W. KENT ET AL ROLLER MILL Jan. 11', 1938.

Filed Nov. 25, 1936 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 JNVENToRf BYM ATTORNEY Jan. 11, 1938n J w KEN1' ETVAL 2,105,192

ROLLER MILL Filed Nov. 25, 1936 y 4 sheets-sheet s l ENEL Z7 il; 76 t 1Z\ 5- l L' 26 #2119 Jg 1l I0 IN VEN TOR] ATTORNEY J. w. KENT E1'y `AL `ROLLER MILL,

I Jan. 11, 1938.

' Filed Nov. 25, 193s 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 am f? @m IN VEN TORS ATTORNEY Patented Jan. 11, 1938 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE ROLLER MILL Application November 25, 1936, Serial No. 112,622

Claims.

The object of this invention is to provide a generally novel and improved type of roller mill designed particularly for the grinding of paints, inks, chocolate and like materials. The novel 5' features of the invention relate to the general construction and arrangement of parts with a view of providing a modern compact eiiicient roller mill embodying novel features of adjustment and operation coupled with economy of space as well as economy in servicing and attending to the machine.

More particularly one object of the invention is to provide a live roller mill in which the rolls are supported in a single preferably angularly inclined plane and are divided into groups for purposes of adjustment and control. The specific construction includes a fixed roll at the top, two oating rolls below the top roll and two other lowermost rolls which are coupled together in a certain adjustable relationship. The bottom or number one roll is individually adjustable with respect to the number two roll immediately above, and both of these rolls are adjustable as a group against the number three or next highest roll. In addition means are provided for quickly throwing the adjusted rolls into or out of grinding contacting relationship without affecting their adjustment.

With the foregoing and other ancillary objects in view the invention is embodied in a ve roller mill arranged and constructed as hereinafter set forth and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which Fig; l is a front View of the mill with parts 35 removed and parts in section.

Fig. 2 is a side view of the mill looking in the direction of arrow 2 in Figure l and with parts removed and broken away.

Fig. 3 is a plan sectional view taken substan- 40 ti'ally on the line 3 3 of Figure 2.

Fig. l is a fragmentary detail View of a roll hub and a supporting plate therefor. i "Fig 5 is an enlarged side view of the adjusting mechanism for the two bottom rolls. This adjusting mechanism appears generally at the bottom of Figure 2.

Fig. 6is a sectional view of the adjusting mechanism taken on the line 6-8 of Figure 5.

Fig. -'7 is a plan sectional View taken on the line 'I-lof Figure 5. Y

The several parts and mechanisms of the mill fare supported by a general framework which includes 1a `base I0, rearwardly inclined front side framesjll, II and complementary rearwardly inclinedback side frames I2, I2, Figures 2 and 3.

(el. :i3-412) Between the side frames are mounted the five grinding rolls-numbered I3, I4, I5,VI6, and I'I. The rolls are carried by bearing boxes numbered I8, I9, 28, 2l, and 22, which occupy the spaces or large rectangular openings 24 between the front and back side frames as best seen in Figure 2. The space 24 forms an inclined slide way in which the four lower bearing boxes are adapted to slide. The side frames are bolted to the base in any suitable manner. At the top they are cross connected by an arch or bridge piece 25. The top fifth roll bearing box 22 is bolted to the side frames as shown in Figure 2. The next two lower` bearing boxes 2| and 20 for the fourth and the third roll slide in ways 26 and 2l in the side frames II and I2. The second lowest bearing box I9 is screwed fast to the two opposed coupling plates 28 which also slide in the aforesaid ways 26 and 2l, Figures 2, 3, and '7. The iirst or bottombearing box I8 is slidably supported between the two coupling plates 28 so that this first roll I3 may be adjusted with respect to the second roll I4. The twoplates 28 couple the first `and second rolls I3 and I4 together so that they may be adjusted as a group with respect to the third roll I5.

The rolls are geared together at both ends by gearing 29 and 30 so proportioned that the speed of the rolls is progressively increasing from the roll I3 to the roll I'I at the top which is the fastest roll. Driving power is supplied by an electric motor 32 which rotates a pinion 33, The latter drives a gear 34 by means of a drive chain @5. The gear l34 is supported upon the shaft 36 of the topmost or fifth roll I'I. Each side frame II-I2 carries a thin split plate 38 having openings through which pass the hubs of the rolls. The openings 39 in the split plate are larger than the hubs 40 of the rolls I5 and I6 whereby to permit these rolls to rest by gravity in the said openings when the machine is not operating. This detail is illustrated in Figure 4.

The space between thelowermost rolls I3 and I4 Aform a feed opening which is adjusted by moving the roll I3 relative to the roll I4. All the rolls are brought into grinding relation, i. e. the rollsV are closedas it is said by moving both the rolls I3 and' I4 simultaneously upward to bring roll I4 into grinding contact with the roll I5 and to' lift -the latterand the roll I6 so as to i close the vgaps between the upper three rolls. The mechanisms for accomplishing these results 'will now be described, see Figures 5, 6, and '7. lThe mechanisms are alike von both sides ofthe machine so only one will be referred to. The

lowermost roll bearing box I8 rests upon a ball bearing 4I interposed between the box and a gear wheel 42. The latter is in threaded engagement with an upper adjusting screw 43 which includes a stem 44. The latter is keyed at 52 to a bracket 45 which is screwed fast to and between the two coupling plates 28 by screws 69, the bracket being recessed as at 41 to fit the plates. The bracket 45 is formed with two bearings 48, 48 which supports an upper and a lower adjusting worm shaft 49 and 50. 'Ihe upper shaft carries a worm 5| in mesh with the gear wheel 42 aforesaid. It will therefore be understood that when the shaft 49 is rotated, the gear 42 will be actuated and screw itself upwards upon the non-turnable screw 43 and thereby move the lowermost bearing box upwards to move the roll I3 towards the second roll I4 and thus adjust the feed opening between these two rolls.

The material to be ground flows from a hopper 54, Figure 2, towards the rolls and is then carried upwards during the grinding operation. A knife 55 scrapes the material off from the top roller and it discharges upon an apron 56 and is removed.

Below the bracket 45 there is another ball bearing 6I wihch rests upon a worm gear 62 which is in threaded engagement with a second adjusting screw $3. The latter is keyed at 64 to a brace 65 which connects the lower ends of the two coupling plates 28. The lower shaft 50 carries a worm 66 in engagement with the worm gear 62. When the lower shaft 5U is rotated, the worm gear 62 will be actuated and screw itself upwards upon the screw 63 which is nonturnable because of the key 64. Consequently the ball bearing 6I will be pressed upwards against the bracket 45 and the latter being fast to the plates 28, the gear 63 will lift these also so that the .second roll I4 will be brought into contact with the third roll I5.

The unit mechanism which includes the two lowermost rolls I3 and I4, their bearing boxes I8 and I9, the coupling plates 28 and associated parts rests by gravity upon two quick acting cams 10 and 1I mounted upon a shaft 12 which stretches across the machine and is operated by a handle 13, Figure l. The two adjusting shafts 49 and 59 carry sprockets 15 and 16, Figure 2, which are driven by chains 11 and 18 from two control shafts 19 and 89 actuated by two handwheels 8l and 82 respectively. The shafts 19 and 8U which are telescopically arranged have their bearings 85 secured to the second roll bearing box I9. A

The operation is as follows. Assuming that the mill has been erected and is ready to be operated. At this time there will of course be gaps between all the rolls. Rolls I5 and I6 are oating rolls so to speak and rest with their hubs 40 in the openings 39 in the split plate 38. The two lowermost rolls I3 and I4 will have a gap between them when the mill is installed and they together with their adjusting mechanisms rest upon the cams 10 and 1I.

The first thing the operator does is to adjust the feed opening between the rolls I3 and I4. This is done by turning the handwheel which actuates chain 11 to drive the sprocket 15 to rotate the upper adjusting shaft 49. The rotation of the latter causes the gear wheel 42 to move upwards whereby the lower roll I3 is moved towards the roll I4 to adjust the feed opening between the rolls. It will be noted that when this adjustment has been completed, the gear 42 will be in a slightly higher position than as shown in Figure 6. The hopper is by this time filled with paint for instance and the operator now grips the handle 13, throws the lifting cams 10 and 1I over the lifts the screws 63, thereby lifting the coupling plates 28 with the two rolls I3 and I4, and all the parts carried between the plates upwards to close the gaps between the rolls I4, I5, I6, and I1, the rolls I5 and I6 being lifted against the upper roll with all the rolls in grinding contact.

If the material comes out at the top in the right condition of flneness of grinding, nothing further need be done by the operator by way of adjustments. Whenever he desires to stop grinding, he simply lowers the lifting cams and then of course the rolls separate by gravity. The feeding opening between rolls I3 and I4 is however not changed.

There is of course sufficient play between the several roll gears to permit the closing and opening of the rolls.

If however, the operator nds that the grinding contacts between the four upper rolls require adjustment, he turns the other control handwheel 82 which through the other chain 18 actuates the sprocket 16 and lower adjusting shaft 50. rI'he rotation of the latter, Figure 6, causes the worm wheel 62 to rotate and rise upon the screw 63. This movement results in a rising movement of the bracket 45, the plates 28 and the two rolls I3 and I4 as a group. Consequently the two lower rolls are moved upwards closer to the third roll I5 which of course results in greater grinding pressure between the upper rolls. The adjustment of the feed opening between the two lower rolls is not disturbed because when the adjusting mechanism is raised with the rolls, the upper adjusting shaft is also raised but causes no rotation of the upper gear wheel 42.

From the foregoing it will be seen that the feed opening between the two lower rolls may be adjusted by moving the lower roll relative to the second roll. That the two lower rolls are lifted as a group against the third roll to close up all the rolls by merely throwing the cam lever 13. And that of course a quick opening of the rolls is caused by a reverse movement of said lever. The grinding pressure between two lower rolls is adjusted by moving the bottom roll, while the grinding pressure between the second, third, fourth, and fth rolls is adjusted by moving the two lower rolls.

Such a construction embodies several advantages. A very fine adjustment between all the rolls may be obtained by the setting of the two handwheels as will be obvious. Again, the mill may be opened after a days run and started the next day by simply operating the lifting cam lever with the assurance that the grinding adjustment will remain as set.

In Figure l the operating and adjusting mechanisms on the right hand side of the mill has been diagrammatically indicated by the gearing 30, the plates 28 and the cam 1I, while the two handwheels are shown in full lines. 'I'he handwheels on the left side of the machine are shown in Figure 2. The operating mechanisms are entirely enclosed between the side frames and protecting sheet covers 86 shown in Figures 1 and 3.

The five roller mill herein disclosed is a new type of mill which presents a very handsome modern appearance with all operating submechanisms enclosed. It is a very efficient machine due to the sturdiness of construction, low center of gravity-the motor being on the base between the side frames-extreme flexibility in making adjustments and protection against dirt. It will further be noted that due to the fact that the bearings-85 are carried by the second bearing box I9, there is no slackening of the sprocket chains when the two lower rolls are moved as a unit. It is a feature of the invention that the two lower rolls with their adjusting means are movable as a single unit with relation to the third roll. Still another feature and advantage resides in the fact that when the rolls are closed and contacted in grinding pressure, rolls i and i6 automatically adjust themselves between the roll i4 and upper roll l1. This results in a very iine grinding operation because these rolls adjust themselves under the pressure applied from below against their respective weights, and the resistance offered by the top roll together with the difference in operating speeds. Hence the film of paint upon the rolls'becomes nner and finer as the material is lifted from the hopper to the discharging apron.

We claim:-

1. In a roller mill in` combination a plurality of grinding rolls supported in a single row on an incline, said row of rolls including a iixedroll at the top, individually shiftable gravity actuated rolls below the top roll, a pair of feed and grinding rolls below the shiftable rolls, a movable gravity actuated framework supporting the feed and grinding rolls, means in said framework for adjusting one feed and grinding roll with respect to the other one of said rolls, a cam upon which said framework rests by gravity and a handle for operating said cam to move Vsaid framework with the feed and grinding rolls into operative relation with the lowermost shiftable roll and for moving all the shiftable rolls. into operative relation with the top roll.

2. In a roller mill for grinding paints and like substances in combination a plurality of grinding rolls supported in a single row on an incline, said row of rolls including a xed roll at the top, individually shiftable gravity actuated rolls below the top roll, a pair of feed and grinding rolls below the shiftable rolls, a movable gravity actuated framework in which said feed and grinding rolls are supported by gravitymeans movable with said framework for adjusting the space between the feed and grinding rolls, means for raising the said movable framework to bring the feed and grinding rolls into operative relation with the lowermost shiftable rolls and all of the latter into operative relation with the top roll, said raising means being capable of reverse movement whereby to separate the shiftable rolls from the top roll and from each other and to separate the feed and grinding rolls from the shiftable rolls without disturbing the adjustment between said two rolls, fixed means for receiving and supporting the shiftable rolls after they have been sep-arated as aforesaid, means for operating all of said rolls to grind the material which passes from the said pair of feed and grinding rolls to the top roll, a scraper for cleaning the latter and a discharge apron for receiving the nished material from the top roll and discharging it.

3. In a roller mill in combination a plurality of grinding rolls supported in a single row on an ineline, said row of rolls including a fixed roll at vthe top, individually shiftable gravity actuated rolls below the top roll, a pair of feed and grinding rolls below the shiftable rolls, a movable gravity actuated framework supporting said pair of rolls, means in said framework Vfor adjusting the feed and grinding rolls with relation to each other and to the lowermost shiftable roll comprising a nonrotatable shaft, a gear upon the same for supporting the lower feed and grinding roll, a second nonrotatable shaft also supported in said framework for supporting both of said feed and grinding rollsl and individually operable gears for actuating the aforesaid two gears to cause the lowermost feed and grinding roll and the said movable framework and both of said rolls respectively to be lifted into operative relation with each other and with the said shiftable and xed rolls. i

4. In a roller mill in combination a Xed frame, a plurality of grinding rolls supported therein in a single row on an incline including a fixed roll at the top and two gravity actuated rolls below said fixed roll, a pair of grinding rolls below the said two gravity actuated rolls, a framework supporting said pair of grinding rolls separately from the other rolls, a bracket secured to said framework, means in said bracket for adjusting one roll of the pair of rolls with relation to the other one, means in said bracket for adjusting the said framework with relation to the fixedframe to adjust the relation between the pair of rolls and the other rolls, a cam upon which the said framework rests by gravity and a handle for operating said cam to lift the said framework and pair of rolls into operative relation to the other rolls.

5. In a roller mill for grinding paints two side frames forming an open inclined space between them, a fixed grinding roll at the top of said space, two gravity actuated grinding rolls slidably supported in said space in a single line below the fixed roll, a movable framework slidably supported in said space, a pair of grinding rolls supported in said framework in line with the other rolls, means for adjusting the said pair of rolls with respect to each other and to the other rolls, a pair of handwheels supported in and movable with thesaid framework for operating said adjusting means, a hopper for feeding Amaterial to be ground to the said pair of rolls, means for operating all of said rolls and a discharge apron for receivingV the finished material from said top roll.

JAMES W. KENT. ELMER P. PETERS. 

